Agreed, the numbers over the years have been exceptional....but I think the reputation (credibility) belongs to the aircrew not the Douglas itself.
In all roles the RNZAF has long had to 'invent' and adapt tactics to plug the holes left because of poor equipment. The kiwi A4 punched well above its weight at the hands off flexible, adaptable young drivers.
The Douglas was fine aircraft to which many have emotional attachments but it was the aircrew that made it 'potent'.
Im sure the kiwi ingenuity (deveolped over several rum-bos) would have turned the F16 into a fine anti shipping weapon too....and as a bonus you get an NVG compatible multi role aircraft. (What night tactical capability did the A4 have? [not even sure it had a weekend capability?
])
The wicked witch at the helm axed the AAF as a role, the concept of self defence and ultimately self determination...not the A4. In so doing she has deprived the NZDF of some of its most capable lateral thinkers, deft hands and made NZ, in several respects, the 'dole-bludger' of the Sth Pacific and beyond.
